Page 158 of The Forever Play

“Paid staff. You think that fucking matters when you’ve just kidnapped his kid?” Ethan mocks him.

“You’re done, dude.” Wily’s hard voice is music to my ears.

It matches the sweet harmony of Grady shouting, “I got it! I recorded the whole thing.”

“Me too!” Asher shouts.

“Ha! Suck it, Fish Sticks!” Casey lets out a raucous laugh, and my lips start to twitch as I barrel outside and find Sienna and Zoey cuddled up on a tree stump—safe and together.

CHAPTER 60

SIENNA

Zoey’s whimpering against my chest as I rock her back and forth, trying to soothe her. The poor little thing is so confused. She doesn’t understand how Uncle Rusty could go from playing tea parties with her to shouting and squeezing her too tight.

She’s terrified, and I hate the way she’s quivering against me.

But then two strong arms are sliding around us, securing us against his chest, and I close my eyes, relief pulsing through me.

“It’s over,” Zander murmurs against my hair. “The police are on their way.”

I sniff and nod, trying to bolster a smile, but I’m a wreck. All I can do is cry and hold my baby girl.

“She’s safe,” Zander reminds me. “She’s with us, and no one’s going to take her away again, okay?”

Sucking in a dry sob, I nod. “Yeah. She’s safe.”

“I’ve got you.” His husky voice whispers against my cheek. “I’ve got you both.”

Zoey pulls away from me, glancing up at Zander with her tear-streaked face. Her eyes are so big and blue and round.

“Foobawl,” she whimpers, her lips puckering.

“Hey, baby girl. You doing okay?” Zander’s voice when he talks to her is so gentle and sweet. My insides instantly melt, a smile tugging at my lips as I brush Zoey’s curls off her face.

She nods and touches my chest. “Mommy.”

“That’s right.” Zander’s smile is warm with affection. “That’s your amazing mommy.”

Zoey nods again, then looks at Zander, studying his expression before quietly asking, “Daddy?”

“That’s me.” Zander pats his chest. “I’m your daddy, and I love you so much.” His voice breaks, and he has to clear his throat. “But you can keep calling me Football if you want to. Whatever works, okay? Because no matter what name you use, I’ll always be your daddy, and I’ll always come when you need me.”

Her cheeks tinge a soft pink, her nose wrinkling as she smiles up at him. “Daddy pay?”

Aw, bless. Zander looks like he’s about to start sobbing like a baby.

His eyes glisten, his voice husky and raw when he replies, “Yeah. I’d love to play with you. Should we go now? Let’s go play right now.”

Standing us up, he walks us around the back of Coach Bergeron’s truck, avoiding the rush of police officers who are storming into the greenhouse. We, of course, get stopped and questioned. Two officers check that Zoey is with her rightful parents, and it’s a relief to assure them that she is.

It takes way longer than it should, and Zoey’s fussing by the time we finally get to walk away from the greenhouse. I don’t want her seeing her Uncle Rusty being marched out of there in cuffs, and thankfully the policewoman gives me a nod of understanding when I mention it.

“We’ll call if we have any more questions.”

“Thank you, Officer.” Zander gives her a grateful smile, then leads us out to the road. He keeps us in a protective bubble until we’ve crossed to his car.

I buckle Zoey into her new car seat and brush her hair back with a smile. “Love you, lil’ bug.”

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